Tea factories makes Sh 1.1 billion  at the auction

The Mountain Journal

editor@themountainjournal.co.ke

Tea factories under KTDA management earned Sh 1.1 billion following the auction of 3,293,031 kgs ( 47,080packages) at the Mombasa Tea Auction.

 Last week,  the factories sold 5,756,180kgs that fetched Sh 899 million in the market.

In the weekly market, Gathuthi, Mununga, Kimunye, Imenti, Rukururi, Ngere tea factories have been listed to have achieved premiums for their quality teas of between Sh 443 and Sh 402.

In the report, Murang’a based tea factories led by Ikumbi are listed to have presented the largest quantities of tea  of 104,760 kgs,  followed by Ngere 98,409 kg and Githambo  97,020 kgs.

The report further reveals that factories that performed better in the auction are Ngere  that earned Sh 39.6 million (98,409kgs), Kathangariri Sh 10.4 million ( 26,080kgs), Njunu Sh 14.6 million ( 36,672kgs), Gacharage Sh 11 million (27,472kgs) among others.

“In the west of the rift, Momul factory led with 65,276 kgs at Sh312 per kg, Oleng 69,156kgs ( Sh Sh309 per kgs), Mokama 38,320kgs( Sh 304per kgs),” read part of the report.

 Gatunguru tea factory sold  60,200 kgs , Nduti  42,660kgs 

KTDA Holding Directors Enos Njeru ( Embu) and James Githinji( Murang’a) said  across the tea growing belts the farmers are encouraged to produce quality green leaf in their farms.

Njeru said the farmers affiliated to Rukuriri, Kathangariri and Mungania ensure they pluck the quality tea,  to avoid further sorting in the buying centres.

Photo/Mr Enos Njeru.

“ We hold stakeholder meetings with the farmers  regularly to ensure the factories in zone six produce the best tea  for the local and international market,” said Njeru.

Githinji, the chairman at Ngere Tea factory said the growers are closely monitored by the extension officers to ensure they always export quality tea. 

“ Ngere factory exports high quality tea in the market, as the factory managers and directors hold sessions with the farmers in the buying centres,” said Githinji.

At the same time, East Africa Tea Trade Association (EATTA) Managing Director George Omuga said the auction traded with 15 540,369kg sourced  from five counties with Kenya leading with 12, 623,962kg from the KTDA factories and the independent producers.

Mr Omuga said other countries delivered Uganda 1,788,225kg, Uganda 1,071,100kg, Burundi 37,006kg and Tanzania  20,076kg.

The offer declined  due to depressed rainfall in the last quarter of the year and early onset of dry period in major tea growing areas in Kenya and the region,” he said.